Why is it important to understand and eliminate health and health care disparities?

African Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans and Native Americans should have the same opportunity for health and health care as Caucasians. Similarly, income and education should not prevent people from being healthy or having health care. All members of society should be treated fairly, regardless of race, sex, income or education.

In addition, by understanding differences in health and health care among groups, we can improve the health and health care of everyone.

Health equity research tries to identify health and health care disparities, understand relationships between health disparities and health care disparities, and suggest and test ways to reduce these disparities among population groups.